Two-time Olympic 400m hurdles champion and world record-holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone made a commanding return to the track, securing a comfortable win as the inaugural Grand Slam Track athletics series kicked off in Kingston, Jamaica, on Friday.
Competing in her signature 400m hurdles for the first time since claiming gold at the Paris Olympics, the American star blazed to victory in 52.76 seconds at the National Stadium.
The 25-year-old seized control early in the race and widened the gap as she came off the final bend, eventually finishing several meters ahead of 2016 Olympic gold medallist Dalilah Muhammad, who recorded 54.59 seconds to take second place.
“Just shaking the cobwebs off,” McLaughlin-Levrone said post-race.
“The first one always hurts, but happy to be here.”
Her dominant performance puts her in a strong position to win the $100,000 prize awarded to the athlete with the best combined results in the 400m hurdles and 400m.
The Grand Slam Track series, created by American Olympic icon Michael Johnson, aims to reignite global interest in track and field by offering significant prize money and a fresh competitive format across four events.
Despite the star-studded lineup and high stakes, a largely empty stadium watched the opening leg unfold.
In other action on Friday, Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas, stormed to victory in her specialty event with a time of 22.62 seconds. She finished well ahead of Marileidy Paulino, the reigning Olympic 400m gold medallist from the Dominican Republic, and Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, who both posted identical times of 22.96 seconds.
“It’s really exciting to be here,” Thomas said.
“Normally these early meets are about feeling things out. But here, the stakes are high, the prize pot is massive, and the competition is fierce. That’s not something we’re used to, and it’s really good for the sport.”
In the men’s 100m, American sprinter Kenny Bednarek, edged out Jamaica’s Oblique Seville in a nail-biting finish. Bednarek clocked 10.07 seconds, just ahead of Seville’s 10.08, while Britain’s Zharnel Hughes came third in 10.13. Former world champion Fred Kerley of the U.S. placed seventh with a time of 10.30 seconds.
The men’s 400m saw world indoor champion Chris Bailey continue his strong form, winning in 44.34 seconds. He narrowly beat Great Britain’s Olympic silver medallist Matt Hudson-Smith in 44.65 seconds, while seasoned American Vernon Norwood finished third.
Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos delivered a world-leading time of 47.61 seconds to win the men’s 400m hurdles. Jamaica’s Roshawn Clarke came in second at 48.20, followed by Caleb Dean of the U.S. in 48.58.
Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye won the women’s 3,000m with a late surge, crossing the line in 8:28.42. Kenya’s Agnes Jebet Ngetich placed second, while another Ethiopian, Tsige Gebreselama, finished third in 8:38.15.
In the women’s 800m, American Nikki Hiltz, known more for her prowess over 1,500m, claimed a world-leading time of 1:58.23. Diribe Welteji followed closely in 1:58.29, with Australia’s Jessica Hull third in 1:58.58. Kenya’s Mary Moraa, the reigning world champion, surprisingly finished last in 2:00.97.
The men’s 5,000m wrapped up with a clean sweep for the United States. Grant Fisher led the charge, winning in 14:39.14.